Accompanied by his special legal counsel Howard Willens and Press Secretary Angel Demapan, Fitial met with Boehner’s chief of staff Barry Jackson and assistant to the speaker for policy Will Kinzel to air significant concerns surrounding the hardships being endured by the people in the commonwealth. Fitial pitched the need for congressional action to alleviate the rising cost of living and the struggling economy.
Atop the governor’s list of priorities is to seek congressional assistance toward amending the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which federalized local immigration.
He noted that the enactment of the CNRA has proven to be overwhelmingly detrimental to the local economy. “It is absolutely disheartening because instead of improving our livelihood and enhancing our economy, this act of Congress took our islands in the opposite direction,” said Fitial.
He requested the assistance of Boehner and the Republican leadership of the House to explore innovative options toward amending the CNRA or enacting a separate measure to specifically address the CNMI’s current struggles.
The speaker’s staffers were very receptive to the CNMI’s concerns and noted that the leadership is definitely empathetic about the territories.
Jackson hinted that such issues may be brought to the attention of the Natural Resources Committee or the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Fitial also pitched another economic development issue that requires congressional action that would pave the way for the CNMI to lure prime investment for a large scale shipyard and maintenance facility for U.S. flag vessels. “Taking into account the impending military buildup in the region, having such a facility in the CNMI would provide very decent paying jobs for the people as well as training and educational opportunities,” stated the governor.
